Bear Tenney’s five-star friendship leads to Nebraska commit over Michigan, Oregon

These days, tight end Bear Tenney and Raiola talk “almost every day.” And the relationship between Tenney and NU’s five-star freshman played a major role in Tenney’s commit.

“Having Dylan Raiola as my quarterback would be awesome,” the 6-foot-6, 245-pounder said Thursday morning. Tenney, whose dad owns a real estate business, will play his senior year at Lone Peak High School in suburban Salt Lake City. “And I love Coach (Matt) Rhule and how family-oriented he is. They’re pumped up about having me, as well.”

A consensus three-star prospect according to all four major recruiting services, Tenney grew up with basketball as his first love. He started playing tackle football as a freshman, loved it, and got his first offer back then from Arizona.

As a sophomore at Chandler (Arizona) Hamilton High School, he caught 11 passes for 95 yards. Last year at Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy High School, he had 27 grabs for 278 yards.

By then, he’d accumulated offers from all over the country, including Michigan and Oregon. As an “aggressive player” with a big catch radius and an ability to “go up and get the ball,” Tenney had options, and time. But his relationship with Raiola and a recent unofficial visit to NU’s campus won him over.

“The facilities were even nicer than Georgia and Michigan,” Tenney said. “That was a big standout.”

He becomes the sixth overall commit in NU’s 2025 class. He’s the first true tight end commit for the cycle, but he’s likely not the last. Millard South’s Chase Loftin and Platteview’s Reiman Zebert have visited Nebraska several times and remain high on the Huskers. Loftin will be taking an unofficial visit this weekend.

Tenney will return Friday as an official visitor and get to hang out with his buddy, Raiola. He may even get to tell a few folks about why he’s called Bear. It comes from his mother’s maiden name.

“It’s on my birth certificate,” Tenney said.